Control mechanism



May 12, 1953 J. N. VICTOR 2,638,154

CONTROL MECHANISM Filed June 16, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet l @foi/6% May 12, 1953 J. N. vlcToR 2,633,154

CONTROL MEGHANISM Filed June 16, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR.

May 12, 1953 ,1. N. vlcToR 2,631,3154

CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Jne 16, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR.

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lIIIIIIIIIIII 'I l 35 62 F 4 24 HIIIHIIIIIHIII Il IIIIIHIIIIIIIIIlllllllllIlIIlllHIl /VZNVEN TOE/VE Y May 12, 1953 J. N. vlc'roR 2,638,164

CONTROL MECHANISM Filed June 16, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TOR.

Patented May 12, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT A 2,638,164 OFFICE 2,636,164 coN'rRoL MEoHANisM Joseph N. Victor, Bethlehem, Pa. Application June 16, 19.511,'seria1 No. 168,607

6 Claims.

which have a moving element operated at the beginninglof the time-cycle, to be locked in place land subsequently released at the end of the timecycle, may employ the automatic control and timing device of the present invention.

An electric bread-toaster is illustrative of an instrument to which the automatic control and Vtiming device of the present invention may be adapted. The movement of the bread-carrying tray into position at the beginning of the toasting period can be used to lock the trays in operative position and actuate the hydraulic inwhereby the bread-carrying portion of the toaster may be locked in toasting position and subsequently released at the end of a predetermined time-cycle;

Another object is to provide a hydraulic timer adapted to. control thevariable operating period of a bread-toaster or the like. 1

Further objects will be apparent by reference the appended specification, claims and drawings.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the accompanying drawings one form thereof which is at present preferred, although itj is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which the invention consists can bevariously arranged and organized and that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and organizations of the instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

In the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters indicate like parts:

Figure 1 `represents a perspective view of a toaster with a portion broken away to show the automatic control and timing means of the present invention.

Figure 2 represents an endV elevational view of the control and timing mechanism of the present invention.

Figure 3 represents a side elevational view (from the left side) of the control and timing mechanism of the present invention. y Figure 4 represents a side elevational view (from the right side) of the control and vtiming mechanism of the present invention.

Figure 5 represents a perspective view of the terval control, and the interval control subsequently may release the bread-carrying trays to permit return to the non-toasting position, at the end of a predetermined time-cycle.

A toaster I0 may have heating elements II and bread-carrying trays I2. The trays I 2 operatevertically in the bread-receiving slots I3.

The bread-carrying trays I2 may be secured at one end to the vertically movable carrier plate I4 Vand may have the opposite `ends suitably guided so that when the bread to be toasted is placed on `the trays I2, lowering of the carrier plate I4 will cause the trays I2 and the bread thereon to rest between the heating elements I I,

all as is well known in the art.

control and timing mechanism atthe start of `a the time-cycle.

Figure 6 represents a perspective view of the control and timing mechanism at the end of the time-cycle.

Figure 7 represents an enlarged vvertical crosssectional viewalong line 'I--l of Figure 5. Figure 8 `represents aside elevational view of vthe hydraulicrinterval control at the endoi the time-cycle.

Figure 9 represents a vertical cross-sectional 1 view along -line 9--9 of Figure 7.

The automatic control and timing mechanism of the present invention may be employed to regulate the `time-cycle or operating cycle of many instrpments.' flfhusv, a Variety .of .devices Suitable means such as the insulated arm I5 may be secured to the plate I4 to close the contacts` IE-a and I 5-b of an electric circuit when the trays I2 are in lowered position, whereby to energize the heating elements I I.

The plate I4 has a pair Vof outwardly projecting guide arms I6 and Il extending horizontally from the top and bottom, respectively, thereof.

. An anti-friction bushing I8 is disposed in a hole I5 in the upper arm I6, and an anti-friction bushing 20 is disposed in a hole 2I of the lower arm I'I. The bushings I8 and 20 are adapted slidably to engage a guide-post 22 upon which the 'plate I4 may move vertically. The guidepost 22 is secured at its upper end to the top frame-member 23 of the toaster, as by the screw 23-a. In like manner, the lower end of the guide-post 22 is secured to the lower framemember 24.

' A tension spring 25 has one end secured to the lower arm I1 and its other end secured to the top frame-member 23 whereby to urge the plate` I4 upwardly on the guide-post 22 toward the top frame-member 23.

A shock-absorbing silencer and stop-member 26 is secured at the upper end of the guidepost 22 beneath the top frame-member 243, and has an inclined portion 21 adapted slidingly to engage one edge 28 of the arm I6. Thus, as the tension spring 25 urges the plate I4 upwardly,

the edge 28 of the arm I6 contacts'the inclined portion of the shock-absorber 2,6,. with gradually increasing friction whereby to bring. the." plate I4 to a stop and eliminate any jarring-ofthe plate against'lthe top frame member 23. A'stop portion 29 .on the shock-absorber 25. is adapted to 3 overlie the top arm It whereby to limit the upwardfi'novement of the plate'll vin case the friction between thel inclined portion 2 and the edge 2S of the arm It is not sunicient to bring the plate it to a complete stop.

An operating handle 3@ is secured, at one .end

'A guide 3|, in a slot 32 of the upper arm It. portion 33 passes freely through the slot 3ft in the plate M and extends a slight distancetherebeyond.

At the forward or outer end i the lower arm Il', a pair of up-turnedjears 35 provide a slot te, .therebetween through which the forwardly andoutwardly extending end 3l of the handle .to may pass.v .fin angular portion 3E of the hanf die 3B is adapted to ,limittheoutwardly pivoting movement of the handle Si) by oo rning vinto, Contact withone ear whereas the inner edge of--the handle Si? limits thel inward movement o fthe handle tt when 'fit engages the outer surface oiV the plate M.

Thus, the plate lil and the bread-carrying trays I2, may be moved to the lower position by depressing the handle 3G v at the outer end 3l,. This causes the handle til to pivot about the slot 32 and brings the edge Sil in Contact with the plate lil,v In this ,p'ositiom a positive engagement between the handle Si? and the plate I4 issecured anda continued push onthe handie 3o will move, the plate It downwardly along the guide-post 2 2.

As hereinbefore mentioned, when the downward thrust against. the handle sois released., the tension spring 25 raises the plate. ill and the trays I2 to the inoperative or nonptoasting position.

In order to retain the plate lli and the trays I2 inthe lowered position, the following locl ing means is provided.`

A baseplate #it rnaybe secured to the lower frame-member 2li in any suitable .,manner. A tabliI is formed from the baseeplate (ill to support the looking arn'irl by the pivot pin t3.

The looking arni. :i2 has an ear {Miextending generally horizontally near its.v upper end, and also has a tension spring it operatively secured n'earthe upper end thereof. l The tension spring it is seeuredat its opposite end to a vertical portion to of the base-plate IIB and -at alltlnies urges tlielocliing arm 42 in the direction oi the arrow lil. Y

Between the-pvot. pin ait and the ear lila link lili is, pivotably secured, at one end, as at 49, to the lockingrarin ft2. Theother end 5! oi?` the link llil is pivotally secured to a cooking-arm 5t by the pin 5,2- wliioh extends laterally out- Wardly on both sides oi the link i8 and the cooking-arm 5l.

The inner end oil the cooking-arm 5I lies acljaoentv the upper portion of.. the vlooking-arm l2 and is prevented .from rising above the locking armv by the stop-member 53. The angular tab 5ft at the inner end of the ooekingearm lil is ldisposed vertically beneath .a finger 55 on the handle 35i. The opposite end of `the cockingfarrn 5I is pivotally secured by the adjuster 56 to the vertical portion it of the base-plate d. The plate it and the trays i2 are locked in the zlowerrnost position as follows:

As the handle lo is depressed, carrying the plate: tl and 'thetrays I1?. vto the lower operating position,'the linger engages the tab t on thecooling-arin 5I, pivoting the tab 5d downwardly about the adjuster 56. As' thev coclzingarm-5I rnovfes downwardly under the .actiono' 4 the :linger 55, the pivot-pin 52 is depressed and moved inwadl'ygcausirg' the* linl; `'to pivot 'about the pin mi. This-scissorslilze action oi the cooking-arm 5I and the link 43 causes the v.upper end of the locking-arm 42 to pivot inwardly .about the pivot-pin t3, whereby the locking ear ill will advance inwardly above the edge El oi the arm il on the plate it, The linger 5 5 moves the inner end 5t of the coclring-arrn 5I down/wardlyy far'v enough to align the cookingarm 5i and the link 8, In this position, the edge 5l' on the arm i't is beneath the looking ear M and, inasmuch vas the pivotslit, 52 .and 5ev reis ast-raient une, the sp1-ing te' cannot make the" looking-arm'll inove in thedire'etion of the arrow 4l. A' `The downward movement of the vvhandle Sil and plate y, Minisv halted when the finger zvstrikes the tab, 54 whiohforees thetrip-'arin 5G to pivot until the lower end 334i strikes the edgefiifib. of theholeinthe basefplate #it causedby the formation of the tab 58. y

f'I'he spr'ii'ig'il tlienfdraws the ivlaft'ey i4' upa eardly ashore distance until steeds@ si of the arri; 1"; engagesthe eerst er .the locking mi t2., The trays I2 will remainvin 'this lowerposif tion until rthe; outer end or the, pivot-pin'.52v of the oookiiigarm 5i is raiseby's'ome external A manual control whereby the platelrnay be released from its lower positionA i's .provided as follower,

" 'l"o a tab 5X5l in thebase @L a triparto 59 is pivoted, as at te. A generauy neinemaipsruon (il ofjthe trip-armis disposed vertically beneath theoutef. end l of the Coekinefarm El when the` en d v5t is moved to its lowerinost posif monty the, linger' et. frhej uriner portion' tsar the trip-arm 5S. is then adjacent a 'finger @Een the operating arrri 3L When it is desired to releasethe plate bland the traysl2 from the loweredlockedposition, an upward movement at vthe outer end SI-of the arm 3Q wcauses ythe arrn 30 topivot about the slot 32 until the abutment 38 s'triliesthe ears" 35 and the release finger M engagesthe vertical por# tion 63 of the trip-arnr, bringing tl'ie horizontal portion SI of the .trip-arm 59. upwardly b neath the outer end 54 of the cooking-arm 5I and causing the cookingarm 5I to swing'up'- wardly about thepivot .55. OnCe-the cookingarni is raised upwardly, the central vpivot--pin 5,1 vis no longer iii-.line with .theouter pivots #19 and 45t and the tension spring ll''can then pull the upper end of the looking' arm 42 in .the direction ofy thearrow 4l'. This' releases lthe, ear 44 from the edge 57. of the 'arm I 'I and permits the spring 25 to raise the plate. I4 and the trays I2..

The .breadcarrying trays I2 and the plate I4 may be released 'automatically from the lower locked position by the hydraulic interval controlfi. The-l'iydrauliol intervalcontrol 64. is an Aautomatic timing mechanism which maymbeset into. operationat thetimeoi and by the lowering of theplat Ill Thus, th oontrol tirne.eycle may be started. when the breadis loweredginto toasting position and, Tat the 'conclusion of ,the time-oycl, the hydraulic interval oontrolwill automatically release theheretofore-described looking rnechani'sin andjpermit thegplate llano 4thetrays I2 to risejto-the-inoperative non-toastingvposition, *y

of spaced Sylphons or bellows 65 and 66 secured at their upper ends 61 and 68, respectively, in fluid-tight relationship to the connector 69. Both of the Sylphons 65 and 66 are sealed, at their lower ends 18 and 1 I, respectively, and provide expansible fluid-tight chambers which are interconnected, at their upper ends, through the conduit 12 in the connector 69.

An adjustable needle-type valve and llerplug 13 are screw-threadedly secured in the conduit 12, and provide means for lling the Sylphons 65 and 66 and the conduit 12 with suitable control uid (such as silicone, which has a very low vapor pressure and small viscosity change due to temperature change, and is fireproof). l

A compression spring 14 within the bellows 66 urges the lower end 1I downwardly, at all times.

Within the Sylphon or bellows 65 a spring-operated check-valve 15 interconnects the interior of the bellows 65 and the conduit 12.

The conduit 12 includes a small by-pass port 16 which permits uid to ow through the conduit 12, from one bellows to the other, irrespective of whether the valve 15 is open or closed.

A guide-pin 11 is secured to the lower end `1il ofthe bellows 65 and a guide-pin 18 is secured to the lower end 1I of the bellows 66. A rockerarm 19 interconnects the pin 11 and the pin 18 and is pivotally supported at a` fulorum 80 by the hanger strap 8|.

Thus, as one of the bellows expands, the other is forced to contract, proportionately, by the pivoting of the rocker-arm 19.

Also secured to the pin 11, as by the pivot-pin 83 beneath the rocker-arm 19, is a yoke 82.

'Ihe connector 69 is rigidly secured, as by the screws 84, to the top frame-member 23.

The lower end of the yoke 82 is pivotally secured, as at 85, to the lever 86. is pivotally fastened at one end to the vertical portion 46 of the base plate 40 by the pivot-pin 81.

The other end 88 of the lever 86 extends vertically beneath the edge 51 of the arm I1.

A portion 89 of the yoke 82 provides a tunnellike clearance space through which the cookingarm 5| and the tension spring 45, heretofore described,.may pass. One or more slotso96 are formed in the sides of the tunnel-like portion 89, and the ends of the pivot-pin 52 extend into these slots. The slots 96 are` so positioned in respect to `the pin 52 that the bottom edges 9| of the slots 98 maybe brought vertically upwardly against the pin 52, at an appropriate time, whereby to lift the cooking arm 5I and disengage the locking mechanism heretofore described.

The automatic timing and releasing mechanism operates as follows:

When the plate I4, and particularly the arm I1 thereof, is lowered, at the beginning of a toasting cycle, the underside of the arm I1, and particularly the edge 51 thereof, is forced against the end 88 of the lever B8. The lever 86 pivots about the fulcrum 81, pulling the yoke 82 and hence the pin 11 downwardly.

Substantially simultaneously and independently of the pivoting of the lever 86, the locking mechanism heretofore described is operated and locks the plate I4 and the bread-carrying trays I2 in the lower position. The initial lower locked position of the plate I4 is shown particularly in Figure 5,`wherein the lever 86 has been pivoted downwardly and the yoke 82 pulled downwardly to the initial starting position of the hydraulic interval control. In this positionthe lower `edge The lever 86 6 9| of the slots 90 are in spaced relation to the pivot-pin 52, as is shown particularly in Figure 5. Thus, the mechanism will remain in the lower locked position until` the yoke 82 is lifted sufficiently to bring the edge 9| of the slot 90 against the pin 52 whereby to bring the pivot points 52 above a line between the pivot points 49 and 56 and permit the spring 45 to disengage the locking ear 44 from the lower arm I1. When this is accomplished, the plate I4 will be lifted vertically by the spring 25, as heretofore described.

The yoke 62 is raised vertically by the hydraulic interval control 64, as follows:

-When the yoke 82 is pulled downwardly under the iniiuence of the external action of the lever 86, the bellows 65 are extended and, conversely, the bellows 66 are contracted (by the rocker-arm 19) to the position shown in Figure 7. The hydraulic fiuid within the bellows 66 is thus forced through the conduit 12, past the spring-loaded check-valve 15 into the bellows 65. Although a portion of the fluid will flow into the bellows 65 through the by-pass 16, most of the fluid rapidly will enter the bellows 65 through the check-valve 15. Thus, at the initial loaded position of the hydraulic interval control, the bellows 65 are extended a Iixed amount and a predetermined quantity of hydraulic iiuid is transferred from the bellows 66 to the bellows 65.

After the initial downward movement, the arm I1 and the plate I4 rise slightly into engagement with the locking ear 44 (as` shown in Figure 5) and out of contact with the end 88 of the lever 86, and the yoke 82 is free to rise vertically. Then the compression spring 14 expands the bellows 66 and (by means ofthe rocker-arm 19) shortens the bellows 65. Thus, the fluid within the bellows 65 is forced through the by-pass 16 and the conduit 12 into the bellows 66. Inasmuch as the check-valve 'I5 does not permit the flow of fluid therethrough outwardlyfrom the bellows 65, the iiuid from the bellows 65 must flow through the by-pass 16. The size of the by-pass 16 and the position of the needle-valve 13 prevents rapid transfer of the fluid from the bellows 65 to the bellows 66 and controls the rate-of-rise of the yoke 82. Thus, by adjusting the needle-valve 12, the rate-of-rise of the bottom edge 9| of the slots 98 may be controlled.

With an appropriate setting of the needlevalve 13, the time it takes the bottom edge 9| `of the slot 88 to contact the pivot-pin 52 may bathe proper interval within which to toast a piece of bread.

Therefore, when the edge 9| strikes the pivotpin 52 and disengages the latch 42 from the arm I1, the bread will be toasted, and, when the plate rises and lifts the bread-carrying trays I2 upwardly, .properly toasted bread will be exposed in the slots I3.

Slight adjustments may be made to control the degree of toasting (i. e., light or dark toast) by the pivot member 56. This lever 56 is supported in the plate 46, and a vertical manipulation of the outer end 62 (exteriorly of the toaster housing) changes the vertical position of the fulcrum 56 where the cooking-arm 5I is supported.l Be- 7 contactthel pivot-pin 52 and disengage the latch 42.

The rate-cf-ri'se ofl the yoke 32 may be initially controlled by proper adjustment of the needle-valve 73 (this adjustment preferably being made at the factory) and, thereafter, slight adjustments in the toasting interval may be made by manipulating the ful'cruzn 56- to shorten or lengthen the toasting cycle".

It is' not necessary to wait for the hydraulic interval control to release the locking mechanism, but the locking mechanism may be disengaged from the arm i7 by lifting the handle Sil vertically, to effect a manual disengagement of the plate f4, and, thus, the bread-carrying trays may other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in al1 respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

Having thus describedV my invention, what l claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is the following:

1. In a looking mechanism, a locking arm having a pivotal support at one end and having,- a locking-ear' at the other end, a link, a cooking arm having a pivotal support at one end, said link secured at one end to said looking arm between the pivotal support and the locking ear thereof and connected at its other end to said cooking arm, a spring at al1 times urging said locking arm' into non-locking position, said looking arm being moved to locking position by aligningrthe peints of connection between said link and said cooking and locking arms with the pivetal support of said cooking arm.

2. In a locking mechanism, a locking arm having a pivotal support at one end and having a locking-ear at the other end, a link, a cooking arm having a pivotal support at one end, said link secured at one end to said looking arm between the pivotal support and the locking ear thereof and connected at its other end to said cooking arm between the pivotal support of said locking arm and the pivotal support of said cooking arm, a spring at all times urging said locking arm into non-locking position, said locking arm being moved to locking position by aligning the points of connection between said link and said cooking and locking arms with the pivotal support of said cooking arm.

3. In a locking mechanism, a locking arm having a pivotal support at one and having a locking-ear at the other. end, a link, a cooking arm having a` pivotal support at one end, said link, secured at one end to said locking arm between the pivotal support and the locking ear thereof and connected at its other end to said cooking arm, a springat all times urging said locking arm into non-locking position, said locking arm being moved to locking position `by aligning the points of connection between said link and said cooking and locking arms with the pivotal support of said cooking arm, said locking arm moved to nonlocking position by said spring when the point of 'connection between said link and said cooking arm is moved out of alignment with the pivotal support for said cooking arm and the .point of connection between said link and said locking arm.

4. In a locking mechanism, a locking arm having a pivotal support at one end and having' a locking-ear at the other end, a link, a cooking arm having a pivotal support at one end, said link secured at one end to said locking arm between the pivotal support and the locking ear thereof and connected at its other end to said cooking arm, a spring at all times urging said locking arm into non-locking position, said locking arm being moved to locking position by aligning the points of connection between said link andA said cooking and locking arms with the pivotal support of said cookingA arm, and independent manual control for releasing said locking arm.

5. In a locking mechanism, a locking arm having a pivotal support at one end and having a locking-ear at the other end, a link, a cooking arm having a pivotal support at one end, said link secured at one end to said locking arm between the pivotai support and the locking ear thereof and connected at its other end to said cooking arm, a spring at all times urging said locking arm into non-locking position, said locking arm being moved to locking position by aligning the points of connection between said link and said cooking and looking arms with the pivotal support of said cooking arm, and automatic interval control mechanism independently actuated to release said locking arm.

6. In a looking mechanism, a locking arm having a pivotal support at one end and having a locking-ear at the other end, a link, a cooking arm having a pivotal support at one end, said link secured at one end to said locking arm between the pivotal support and the locking ear thereof and connected at its other end to said cooking arm, a spring at all times urging said locking arm into non-locking position, said looking arrn being moved to locking position by aligning the points of connection between said link and said cooking and locking arms with the pivotal support of said cooking arm, and automatic interval control mechanism independently actuated to release said locking arm, said interval control mechanism including a pair of bellows interconnected by a huid-conduit at one end and by a rocker-arm at the other end,fsaid bellows and said conduit iilled with non-coinpressible fluid, a compression spring within one bellows, a fluid check-valve for controlling duid-now in said conduit, a variable-area by-pass around said check-valve, said rocker-arm adapted to compress one of said bellows and said compression spring therein as the other of said bellows is eX- tended causing fluid to fiow from the compressed bellows through said check-valve into said eX- tended bellows, said compression spring adapted to 'extend said compression bellows and through said rocker-arm to compress said extended bellows forcing fluid from said extended bellows through the variable-area by-pass into said compressed bellows.

J O-SEPH N. VICTOR.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,184,498 Wells May 23, 1916 1,242,750 Wells Oct. 9, 1917 1,875,616 Kohout Sept. 6, 1932 2,325,225 Burke July 27, 1943 2,343,347 Turner Mar. 7, 1944 2,377,461 `Swift June 5, 1945 

